NEW CITY, NY – In a press conference held on Monday, December 16, 2024, Rockland County Executive Ed Day, New York State Senator Bill Weber, and Rockland County Attorney Thomas Humbach reiterated their strong opposition to New York State’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) congestion pricing plan.
Set to begin in January 2025, the plan imposes a daily toll of up to $3000 per year (based on $9 per trip, 333 times per year for weekday commuters) on residential drivers entering Manhattan’s Central Business District – 60th street and below in Manhattan. Day, Weber and Humbach took turns denouncing the policy as a regressive tax that would unfairly penalize residents already burdened by inadequate public transit and excessive MTA-related costs.
The toll is also sliding scale based on size and purpose of vehicle. Large trucks can expect to pay up to $21.60 per entry. Residential is also set to rise for $12 in 2028, and $15 in 2031.
The meeting was also followed up by a subsequent press release on Rockland County’s website.
Financial Burdens and Call for Accountability
Day, Weber, and Humbach highlighted the significant financial burden the plan would place on Rockland residents, where driving into Manhattan is often a necessity due to limited and unreliable transit options. At a starting toll of $9, annual costs for regular commuters could exceed $1,800, increasing to $3,000 based on trips into the city.
While there are industries that depend on a physical presence there are still many working remote or hybrid (certainly more than prior to the pandemic) and since COVID many people have additionally left the city, a downward trend in population expected to continue for the next 25 years.
“MTA fare evasion already costs over $700 million annually. Before asking drivers to shoulder more costs, the MTA must be held accountable for managing its budget effectively,” said Day. “This raises serious questions about fairness, priorities, and accountability.”
Rockland’s Unique Challenges
Rockland County remains the only MTA member with a multi-million dollar value gap, contributing over $40 million annually to the agency while receiving disproportionately low services in return. Despite this inequity, the MTA’s latest capital plan “includes no significant investments for Rockland”. Day, in a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, refuted her claims that Hudson Valley residents would benefit from congestion pricing, stating, “Frankly, instead of admittedly making a charge intended to penalize and deter the public from using those roads, perhaps the State and MTA should consider encouraging public transportation by improving it.”
Rockland’s lack of representation on the MTA board since June 2023 adds another layer to the county’s grievances. The absence of a dedicated voice advocating for local interests has further marginalized the community in critical decisions affecting transit and funding, notably – Rockland County also took considerable exception to the 2023 New York City plan to bus individuals that have migrated from South and Central America, into border states, bused to urban zones across America, and from there transported to suburban communities – notably from NYC to Rockland.
The plan by NYC was scuttled in November of 2024, based on pressure from Rockland County Government, and its legal teams.
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Legal and Legislative Efforts
Rockland’s legal battle against the MTA and Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority continues, with a decision on a motion for a preliminary injunction expected within weeks. County Attorney Humbach emphasized that the lawsuit challenges both the constitutionality and fairness of the plan.
“It is unfair, unjust, and unconstitutional to charge arbitrary tolls to drivers—some of whom have no choice but to drive—and divert their money as revenue to support other government services,” he argued.
On the legislative front, Senator Weber has introduced bills to permanently repeal congestion pricing and increase Rockland’s allocation from the Dutchess, Orange, and Rockland Fund from $2 million to $10 million for transit improvements. He also supports Senator Andrew Lanza’s bill to repeal congestion pricing entirely and Senator Jack Martins’ bill calling for an investigation into Governor Hochul’s handling of the policy.
“Congestion pricing was a bad idea when it was first proposed, a bad idea when it was shelved, and remains a bad idea now that it has been reintroduced,” said Weber. “Here in Rockland County, we stand firmly in opposition to this unfair tax and will continue fighting it.”
A Broader Call for Fairness: Letter to NYS Governor Kathy Hochul
The press conference underscored broader concerns about transparency and mismanagement within the MTA. Officials cited the agency’s inability to curb fare evasion and its mismanagement of $700 million in annual losses as reasons for an independent audit. Day and Weber pointed out that funds generated by congestion pricing would not directly benefit the communities being taxed, further deepening the sense of inequity. This was further elaborated in a detailed open letter to NYS Governor Kathy Hochul, which was released today via the County’s primary Facebook page.
“Rockland County residents deserve better,” Day concluded. “We will continue to fight this ill-conceived plan and advocate for equitable, fair, and effective policies for all New Yorkers.”
Looking Ahead
With legal and legislative battles intensifying, Rockland County officials remain resolute in their opposition. This marks the latest chapter in Rockland’s ongoing fight against what many commuters, residents – and Government officials on the County and State level – view as a deeply flawed policy.
For further background, see Rockland News’s previous coverage on the topic: